Centre Urges Keralam to Decide Soon on PM SHRI Schools, Flags Pending Schemes

The Union government has written to the Keralam government asking it to take a decision at the earliest on whether the State will implement the PM SHRI (Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India) scheme, General Education Minister N. Samsudheen said on Friday.

The letter from the Union Education Secretary to the State Chief Secretary was received two days ago, the Minister told reporters. According to him, it states that a decision must be taken at the earliest so that the remaining schemes can move forward.

"It has been two or three days since it was received. We will discuss it in this context," Mr. Samsudheen said, adding that the State's position would be made clear only after those discussions.

He said he could not make a statement on his own, and that the Chief Minister, along with the leadership of the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF), would take the decision and announce it.

The Minister acknowledged that there were differing views on the scheme within Keralam and said the government's reservations remained. "Our opposition to it, on behalf of the entire UDF, was stated even before the elections. We still hold reservations about it today. Therefore, its details need to be examined further," he said.

The scheme has had a contested passage in the State. The previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) government had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Union government for implementation of PM SHRI. However, after criticism from within the LDF and protests by the UDF, the agreement was kept in abeyance.

After the UDF government assumed office, it appointed a Cabinet subcommittee to study the matter and recommend whether the State should proceed with the scheme or withdraw from it. That exercise is still to conclude, and the Centre's letter now adds a timeline to the State's pending decision.

What the scheme involves

The PM SHRI scheme aims to upgrade 14,500 schools across the country and is expected to benefit about 1.8 million students. It seeks to develop these schools as model institutions that reflect the spirit of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The scheme is centrally sponsored, with participating States and Union Territories required to sign an agreement setting out their commitments.

Several States and political parties have raised concerns about the scheme, including over conditions linked to the implementation of NEP 2020 and the funding and branding arrangements involved. Keralam has been among the States that have held back from full participation, citing such reservations.

What happens next

For now, the matter rests with the State government. The Cabinet subcommittee's findings, followed by discussions involving the Chief Minister and UDF leadership, are expected to determine whether Keralam joins the scheme, seeks modifications, or stays out.

The Centre's letter does not, by itself, alter the State's options, but it does press for clarity, noting that other schemes are waiting on this decision. Until the State replies, the status of PM SHRI schools in Keralam remains unresolved.